Multivariate optical elements for optical analysis system

Abstract

A method of developing a multivariate optical element for an optical analysis system includes forming an optically absorptive spectral element having an optically absorptive material, the optically absorptive material being absorbing in a predetermined spectral region; and utilizing the optically absorptive spectral element in the optical analysis system.

1. A method of developing a multivariate optical element for multivariate optical computing system for use in a predetermined spectral region, the method comprising:
 forming an optically absorptive spectral element having an optically absorptive material, the optically absorptive material defining a wavelength-dependent property, the wavelength dependent property being subject to greater variation in the predetermined spectral region; and 
 disposing the optically absorptive spectral element in the multivariate optical computing system. 
 
     
     
       2. The method as in  claim 1 , wherein the optically absorptive material is a layer in the optically absorptive spectral element. 
     
     
       3. The method as in  claim 1 , wherein the optically absorptive material is a film. 
     
     
       4. The method as in  claim 1 , wherein the optically absorptive material is transmissive. 
     
     
       5. The method as in  claim 1 , wherein the optically absorptive material is reflective. 
     
     
       6. The method as in  claim 1 , wherein the optically absorptive material is transmissive and reflective. 
     
     
       7. The method as in  claim 1 , wherein the optically absorptive material is selected from the group consisting of a silicon, a doped silicon, a germanium, a doped germanium, a sapphire, and a doped sapphire. 
     
     
       8. The method as in  claim 1 , further comprising selecting the optically absorptive material based on the predetermined spectral region. 
     
     
       9. A method of developing a multivariate optical element for a multivariate optical computing system for use in a predetermined spectral region, the method comprising:
 forming a plurality of optically absorptive spectral elements each including an optically absorptive material defining a wavelength-dependent property, the wavelength dependent property being subject to greater variation in the predetermined spectral region; and 
 disposing the optically absorptive spectral elements in the multivariate optical computing system. 
 
     
     
       10. The method as in  claim 9 , wherein the optically absorptive spectral elements are transmissive or reflective. 
     
     
       11. The method as in  claim 9 , wherein the optically absorptive material is a silicon or a doped silicon. 
     
     
       12. The method as in  claim 9 , wherein the optically absorptive material is a germanium or a doped germanium. 
     
     
       13. The method as in  claim 9 , wherein the optically absorptive material is a sapphire or a doped sapphire. 
     
     
       14. A multivariate optical computing system for use in a predetermined spectral region, the multivariate optical computing system comprising:
 a spectral element including an optically absorptive spectral material, the optically absorptive material defining a wavelength-dependent property, the wavelength-dependent property being subject to greater variation in the predetermine spectral region. 
 
     
     
       15. The multivariate optical computing system as in  claim 14 , wherein the spectral element is a multivariate optical element. 
     
     
       16. The multivariate optical computing system as in  claim 14 , wherein the optically absorptive material is a layer in the spectral element. 
     
     
       17. The multivariate optical computing system as in  claim 14 , wherein the optically absorptive material is a film. 
     
     
       18. The multivariate optical computing system as in  claim 14 , wherein the optically absorptive material is selected from the group consisting of a silicon, a doped silicon, a germanium, a doped germanium, a sapphire, and a doped sapphire. 
     
     
       19. The multivariate optical computing system as in  claim 14 , wherein the optically absorptive material is transmissive or reflective. 
     
     
       20. The multivariate optical computing system as in  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a light source being configured to radiate a first light along a first ray path; 
 a modulator disposed in the first ray path, the modulator being configured to modulate the first light to a desired frequency; 
 an additional spectral element disposed proximate the modulator, the additional spectral element being configured to filter the first light for a spectral range of interest of a sample; 
 a cavity being configured to direct the first light in a direction of the sample, the cavity being configured to receive and direct a second light generated by a reflection of the first light from the sample, the cavity being farther configured to separate the first and second lights; 
 a beamsplitter being configured to split the second light into a first beam and a second beam; 
 wherein the optically absorptive spectral element is disposed to receive the first beam, the optically absorptive spectral element being configured to optically filter data carried by the first beam into at least one orthogonal component of the first beam; 
 a first detector mechanism in communication with the optically absorptive spectral element to measure a property of the orthogonal component to measure the data; and 
 a second detector mechanism being configured to receive the second beam for comparison of the property of the orthogonal component to the second beam.